Aussie duo to risk wrath of their bosses for Chinese play date

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• More Barclays Premier League club news

The duo are eager to report for Socceroo duty despite it being a midweek fixture wedged between Barclays Premier League matches.

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Oriental express: West Ham defender and Australia skipper Lucas Neill

Full-back Neill and midfielder Cahill have declared themselves available for the group match against China in Kunming on March 26.

Neill, the Aussie skipper, said he would continue to make himself available for his country regardless of any pressure from his boss at Upton Park Alan Curbishley.

"People say 'why would you want to go and play for Australia in the middle of two English Premier League games?' (I say) Because I'm playing for Australia and I want to go to the World Cup," he said. "It's an honour, it's a privilege and I'm sure there are millions and millions of others who would want to be doing what we are doing. I'm not taking it for granted."

Australia defeated Qatar 3-0 in their opening qualifier yesterday.

Cahill added that his participation in that victory was never in doubt, despite suggestions from Everton manager David Moyes that his midfield marauder had a hamstring injury.

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International duty: Everton midfielder Tim Cahill

"Before I even got here, I was reading things that I was injured and I wasn't coming, and I wasn't getting on the airplane," Cahill said. "I was still getting on the airplane, injured or not injured, just to be part of the squad.

"We just showed our commitment."

Celtic striker Scott McDonald said Australia are making sure their European-based players return in good shape, sending them back to their clubs under medical supervision.

"The Australian staff have been fantastic. We had the doctor fly all the way over to London so he could fly back with us and make sure we were in tip-top shape," McDonald said. "We've got someone flying over with us tonight as well so hopefully that will hold us in good stead."

Head doctor Jeff Steinweg accompanied the European-based players to Australia, while head physiotherapist Phil Coles joined them on the return trip to Europe.